Prologue

It was a dark room, only lit by a single flame that flickered with an argyle purplish hue. It was this room in which the members of the Grand Council gathered to discuss the current problem at hand.

“Though he has been quiet, Daedalus has surely been busy. Knowing him, he has been scheming diligently against us. If we wish to save our land and its people, we must act without a moment’s waste.” said one of the Grand Council members in a concerned voice.

“That is true, are there any propositions as to what we can do?” The president of the council asked calmly.

There was a moment of silence until finally, someone spoke up. “Our age is not something to be ignored. It is catching up to us and though it may be hard to admit, we aren’t the same group we were one thousand years ago during the Malum. Perhaps a new council is needed, a group of worthy successors to take our place.”

Everyone seemed to be in agreement, except for the president. She cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention, and then said, “Times are changing in the land of Libertas. The idea of a single council governing an entire world is becoming more and more unrealistic. Ludacris even. People are becoming much more diverse. New traditions, cultures and beliefs are arising. We cannot possibly maintain the best interests of these different groups and ideas as a singular governing entity.”

“So what would you suggest we do then?” another council member asked, showing faint signs of annoyance. Not enough to be called out on it however. “Should we dissolve the council system that has brought Libertas peace for countless generations?” He asked rhetorically, as if the answer to the question was obvious.

The president ignored the familiar hostility from her subordinate and replied. “Perhaps we should. Though we must first focus our attention on to the immediate problem, which is the comeback of Daedalus. While he is growing, we are shrinking. I fear that when the time comes and Daedalus inevitably comes out of hiding to make his move, I will not be well enough to stop him.” The president sighed slightly after admitting this fact, even though the members of the council were already aware of this fact, and the President knew they were aware. “There has to be someone else who can defeat Daedalus, in order to prevent anything that is even remotely akin to the Malum from ever happening again. We have been watchful protectors of Libertas thus far, and although I still stand by the decision of disintegrating the council, I must agree that the land would only benefit from having our roles as protectors be continued by successors.”

The member who made this suggestion smiled smugly, obviously satisfied that the president agreed with at least part of his idea.

“However,” she continued. “That would be their only role, watchful protectors. Silent watchful protectors as a matter of fact. They would have no influence on the economy, diplomatics, any impact on political decisions, or anything else that the council has overseen for the past ten centuries. Their sole purpose would be to silently watch and protect the land from any form of disaster. And right now, the eminent disaster is Daedalus’ return.”

“So, this would be some form of a...crisis prevention initiative?” A member pondered, her tone sounded amused, like a feline predator that had just set its sights on new prey.

“Ideally.” The president responded, as she let out a small chuckle at the member’s amusement. “We should begin the proceedings immediately.” She said firmly, this time addressing the entire council.

“I believe that we have a likely candidate for leadership, in Cornelius Xander.” A member started. “Perhaps we should keep an eye on him.”

“I’m sure he’ll make some unignorable loud noise in the world.” Bellowed a loud voice for the first time. “‘Keeping an eye’ won’t be necessary. He will be impossible to miss.” He boasted.

“Yes, young Xander still has quite some way to go, but he is showing potential.” The President agreed. “We will need to keep our eyes open however for those that might be easily missed.”

“How will we--” a council member began to ask, but the president cut him off and said “I have already found many candidates.” She gestured towards the flame at the centre of the large round table that they were all sitting around. The air around the flame began to catch fire, and it spread rapidly, causing the flame grow immensely. The once small flame that flickered in the middle of the room was now a monstrous flame that burned intensely yet beautifully. This flame towered over the members of the Grand Council and after a few moments, fiery images began to form within it. It showed a series of beings from all scopes of existence, young and old, male and female, poor and wealthy. “There is an abnormally high rate of Ellectis with powerful abilities. These people that you are seeing will be put through a series of tests, in order to push them to their limits.”

“You had this plan all along.” A member determined, and the president only smiled slightly as a response.

The council studied the people that the fire portrayed.

“They look dangerous. As much as they can save Libertas, they could more than destroy it as well.” One member observed. “The power they have is far greater than themselves.”

“They're not much different from us then.” The president responded as she looked up at the raging fiery display that loomed vibrantly over the ancient council. Its violet flames raged brilliantly, and it looked as though at any moment it would break free uncontrollably, only to destroy everything around it. But as much as they would rage and flare about, the flames never acted outside of what their creator wished. Never more, never less.

“How do you expect us to contain these Ellectis? And make sure they're on our side?” Another asked.

The president glanced around the room, “We do not contain them. We…we have faith in them.” She responded carefully, because she knew how bleak that sounded.

The hostile council member chuckled snobbishly. “Don’t be ridiculous. You're placing the fate of our entire world into the hands of these uncontrollable beings? Have you forgotten why this prestigious council was initiated in the first place? The more powerful their abilities, the more vulnerable they are to the darkness within themselves. We should at least contain them.”

“It doesn't matter if we try to contain them,” the president responded. “In the end they will choose their own path. And if we try to condition them to believe in the same things that we do, even if it were successful, all it would create is an army of mindless soldiers.”

“Yes and these soldiers would be competent enough to ensure the safety of Libertas more reliably than a collection of powerful Ellectis without direction.” The council member argued desperately. “And no doubt, the majority of them will be corrupted if allowed to do whatever they please. President, this is a foolish risk to take and I will not stand by and watch you destroy our Land that we have all worked so hard to build.”

“Tell me right now, who would you rather protect our land? Who do you think would be more fitting to go against all odds to defeat an evil more ancient and more powerful than the entire Grand Council itself? Would it be this mindless army that you desire to control for yourself, with no inner drive or ambition and no real reason to defend our home? Or would you have people that choose out of their own reasoning and desire to protect it from evil?”

“We can teach them the history of Libertas, the greatness of the land, of our people--” The council member began to say, but the president had heard enough.

“Just like anyone’s ability to do something increases dramatically when they have a passion for it, an Ellecti can utilize their own emotion and passion into the strength of their abilities. The level they need to reach in order to defeat Daedalus can only be reached by making this decision on their own. Passion cannot be forced or taught, it is something that can only manifest from within. We musn't forget the name of our land.”

There was a moment of silence as the President’s words hung in the air. She leaned back in her chair. “Are there any more oppositions?” She asked, almost as if she was challenging them.

Not one council member spoke. “Good, it is settled then. We will focus our efforts on keeping an eye out for promising Ellectis. These individuals are the last hope of Libertas.” The president concluded.

“And what do we do if we find them?” The loud and boastful council member asked.

“When you find them.” The president corrected. “For now, we should only observe. Though I trust in each of your discretion with regards to any interactions you choose to have with them.” The president then answered. She then looked over at one of the members who had been quiet throughout the entire meeting and raised an eyebrow. “Nothing to say, Morgana?”

The old woman who had yet to speak finally asked, “What of the prophecy? And the three that it mentions. Are we choosing to disregard it?” Her voice was deranged and even more so the small chuckle that followed.

The president tilted her head and let it rest on her hand with her elbow on the table. “A prophecy is bound to happen regardless is it not? We have no choice but to proceed as we normally would. Libertas was built by the people, so let the people decide if they want to destroy it, the most we can do is act as guidance. In the end however, we will have to hope they see that our home--their home, is something worth saving.” She waited, once more giving her subordinates a chance to object. But for the second time, not a word was spoken. “Thank you for your time. You are dismissed.” She said finally, and the members all made their exit. Some vanished from the room, while others stepped out of the light that the purple flame provided.

Eventually the president was alone in the room and she released a long sigh, perhaps the remnants of the small one she released earlier. This sigh was followed with weak coughs that gradually turned into vigorous hacking, as she hunched over covering her mouth with her hand, struggling to breath in between coughs. The coughing eventually subsided, leaving her hand covered with splotches of blood and saliva. She was surprised that she was able to hold it in during the meeting. A meaningless feat nonetheless, as it did not change the truth that they all knew. At the very least, she was glad that the council did not have to see their leader in such a pathetic state. With her forehead rested on the table, she was breathing heavily, allowing her body to recover. She knew that time was not only catching up to the president of the prestigious Grand Council. The truth was, that time was running away from her as well.